Discord between state leaders of the 4-H youth agricultural organization and volunteers and parents with its Boulder County chapter continues to emerge surrounding its programs involving guns and how they're funded.

A woman who volunteered for the Boulder County 4-H Sharp Shooters Shotgun Club withdrew from leading the group Wednesday as a result of what she calls "societal anti-gun sentiments" from 4-H officials.

In emails between Sweeney, 4-H volunteers and CSU 4-H Extension officials shared with the Times-Call by Sweeney, she claimed she was met with resistance from 4-H leaders when she tried to address her concerns regarding the group's support of shooting sports programs in a meeting in March at which youth members were present.

"While the behavior of some within the volunteer and paid ranks of 4-H was unnecessarily ugly and unprofessional, I'm resigning due to a strong philosophical misalignment with the CSU Extension on the subject of societal anti-gun sentiments. I believe the topic should be met with sensitivity, levelheadedness and reason; and with conviction in the principles of the 4-H Shooting Sports program," she said in an email to the Times-Call.

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When controversy emerged over the CSU Extension's moves to call off the gun display and Friends of NRA ad, Sweeney questioned why leaders had given into pressure from what she said was a minority of 4-H parents to adjust the Boulder County chapter's manner of presenting firearms at public events and its relationship with the gun rights advocacy group.

"I view the CSU Extension's approach as one of acquiescence and apology, which I believe will be extremely detrimental to the program in the long run. Regrettably, this difference in philosophy has reached a point where I would need to compromise my values and integrity to continue, which I won't do," she said.

Fellow 4-H volunteer Candice Brown — who helped spearhead protest to the gun display at the tack show and placement of the gun raffle ad in the February newsletter — bemoaned Sweeney's departure from her volunteer position while sticking with the assertion the youth group should avoid accepting any funding from organizations affiliated with the National Rifle Association.

"I think Samantha is a wonderful volunteer. She's top notch. I was surprised. It is unfortunate news, it's unfortunate for the kids and the program in Boulder County," Brown said.

Boulder County 4-H received a $9,826 grant from the Friends of NRA this year, according to CSU Extension Specialist Sam Lowry, who heads animal science and shooting sports programs.

He was asked Feb. 16 to disclose contributions from any affiliates of the NRA to the county's 4-H chapter. The Facebook page for the Boulder County 4-H Sharp Shooters Shotgun Club says the local 4-H Shooting Sports program had received $30,000 this year through Feb. 22 from the Friends of NRA and the NRA Foundation.

Posts with links to buy tickets to the April 14 Friends of NRA gun raffle — which will auction seven weapons, including a Bushmaster Quick Response Carbine semi-automatic rifle, through a winner-take-all format — continued appearing on the social media page after the CSU Extension removed the ad for the event from the newsletter.

The National Rifle Association has been criticized by federal lawmakers who say the group supports lax gun-control regulations.

"The discussion about age requirements and background checks (for firearm purchases) and whether or not people should have access to assault rifles, the NRA is taking it to extremely rigid stances. Where is there any discussion? To find an alternative source of funding is to say no to the rigidity and the lack of discussion," Brown said.

The 4-H is a youth organization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture operating through a network of 110 public universities and includes nearly 6 million participants nationwide, according to 4-H.org.

The 4-H Shooting Sports program has led youth members through archery, muzzle-loading, pistol, rifle, shotgun and hunting projects since the 1930s, and its leaders oppose activities such as paintball and laser tag that target people, according to a 4-H fact sheet.

"There have been no changes in the structure of the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports program," Lowry said. "We continue to emphasize positive youth development and the education of our members and volunteers in the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment. ... Volunteer participation is a choice, and the decision to no longer serve as a 4-H volunteer is respected by the Colorado 4-H program."

Attempts to contact other 4-H officials for comment on this story were unsuccessful.

Sweeney could not be reached for follow-up Friday to answer whether her son would withdraw from competing in Boulder County 4-H Shooting Sports events.

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